Hurricane season started early this year in Tampa, but it wasn’t because of the weather as the Scorpions brought their Rock Believer tour to Amalie Arena on Wednesday night. The Scorpions also brought some thunder with them as Thunder Mother opened for them after Whitesnake dropped off the bill due to continuing and unfortunate medical issues.
This was supposed to be Whitesnake’s farewell tour and a huge double bill and with them not performing, it had a huge effect on early attendance in the arena. This was unfortunate as many missed Thunder Mother’s set as the show pre-partying was happening out on the plaza and in the parking areas.
Thunder Mother is a quartet of women musicians from Sweden that have been playing for over 8 years now and fortunately with this tour, they are picking up traction in the States.
The band consists of vocalist Guernica Mancini, Drummer Emlee Johansson, guitarist Filippa Nassil and bassist Mona “Demona” Lindgren. They have recently released their new album, Black and Gold and played three songs from it during their extended 11 song setlist. These were “Loud and Free” “Black & Gold” and “I Don’t Know You.”
They started their set with “Whatever” from their self-titled album from 2018 and finished with “Driving In Style.”
The four of them were having a blast and were smiling and posing not only for the photographers in the photo pit but also for the fans in the stands. Hopefully this tour will lead them to getting more fans going out and streaming their music and maybe getting out on next year’s festival season which really seems to catapult bands to another level.
As the crew did the changeover between bands, a huge curtain with a Scorpions emblem hung from the rafters covering the stage. As the crew dropped the curtain, another one appeared with “Are You Ready To Rock?” Then that curtain was pulled down and a huge stage setup appeared which was definitely one of the highlights of the set.
The Scorpions started their 17-song set with “Gas In The Tank” from this year’s Rock Believer release. Most of the crowd didn’t recognize this song but that situation was quickly fixed with the next song, “Make It Real.” The song was released on Animal Magnetism in 1980 and was released as a single along with “The Zoo.” These two hit songs helped The Scorpions achieve platinum status for the first time in their careers.
The Scorpions continued with the aforementioned “The Zoo” with the Tampa crowd showing their vocal abilities by helping lead singer Klaus Meine with the chorus.
There were many chances throughout the evening for the fans to chip in as Meine went to the front and sides of the catwalk throughout the evening and stuck his microphone into the crowd.
The fans were happy to oblige, and both the crowd and the band seemed to feed off each other’s energy throughout the extended set. Klaus also threw out 20 plus drumsticks while he was playing the cowbell which the crowd absolutely loved.
The epic instrumental, “Coast to Coast” was next as Meine took a short and well-deserved break. His vocals weren’t as good as the last time they were here 4 years ago, and he moved around a bit slower, but he joins a list of a few that are still killing it at 70 plus years of age.
Guitarists Rudolph Schenker & Mattias Jabs showcased their dual ax-attack and made their way to the front of the catwalk to the delight of the screaming fans. Schenker is not only a great player, but what a showman. He got right in the fans’ faces with his guitar and stormed back and forth across the stage throughout the night.
The Scorpions then played a couple more songs from Rock Believer In “Seventh Sun” and “Peacemaker” the rest of their set was filled with hit songs from various stages of their very successful career.
The pace slowed down a bit after “Bad Boys Running Wild” with “Send Me an Angel.” I’ve never seen a guitarist play an acoustic Dean Flying V guitar before, but Schenker did and it was gorgeous. “Angel” was followed up with an amazing rendition of “Wind Of Change” that highlighted Klause Meine’s whistling skills during the opening notes. Meine introduced it as a dedication to the people of the Ukraine with the Ukrainian flag on the video screens and the phones lit up in masse by the crowd.
After “Tease Me Please Me,” Meine introduced the crowd to former Motorhead drummer, Micky Dee, who was behind the skins once again for the Scorpions. Dee and bassist Pawel Maciwoda performed “New Vision” which was a bass and drum solo. This was finished off by Mickey Dee slamming his kit with his pedals and drumsticks while a video slot machine spun in the background.
The screen had all sorts of images but what stood out were the images of Lemmy showing up on the five colorful spinning wheels. The stage setup also had a round cylinder with a huge flashing and striking scorpion and included an amazing and I mean amazing light show.
A Scorpions’ set just wouldn’t be complete without the fan favorite, “Blackout” as a police siren accompanied the red and blue light flashing strobe lights that lit up Amalie Arena. This song always takes me back to high school when I saw it in 1988. 35 years later and it still rocks as hard as it did back then.
After “Big City Nights,” the Scorpions took a short break then concluded the night with “No One Like You,” and of course, “Rock You Like a Hurricane.”
As the house lights came on in Amalie Arena, the fans exited with huge smiles on their faces and thankfully the pouring rain that was happening during the show, subsided. No one commented about Whitesnake not being on the bill as both Thunder Mother along with the Scorpions put on a heck of a show. Even if we don’t get the opportunity to see them live again in Tampa, The Scorpions will always be remembered that there was no one like them.
A lot of boys and girls dream of becoming rock stars at some point in their lives. For some, it’s a fleeting idea, some chase their dreams, and a few actually reach the pinnacle of the music industry. Jack Russell had an epiphany the age of six that music, and only music, was to be his future. But with his many successes, an equal or greater amount of misfortunes and tragedies marked Russell’s life, starting two years after meeting guitarist Mark Kendall.
Jack Russell (Photo-Travis Failey)
In 1979 Jack Russell was sentenced to an 8 year prison stint for a shooting during a botched robbery. With Russell’s musical career on hold, Mark Kendall moved on. But as fate would have it, the California penal system released Jack Russell after only a little more than a year and Great White as we would come to know it, was back in the water.
Montana, Lochner & Russell (Photo-Travis Failey)
Great White released the EP, Out of the Night, in 1982 and achieved some success when local radio stations played it in regular rotation. EMI signed them, and Great White released their self-titled full-length debut in 1983. In 1984, Great White opened for Whitesnake in Europe and Judas Priest in the States. When I spoke to Jack Russell Friday night prior to Jack Russell’s Great White taking the stage at the Cuban Club in Ybor City, we discussed the Judas Priest tour and he recounted how years prior to that tour, he met Rob Halford.
Russell told Halford that one day Great White would open for the mighty Priest. Call it foresight, cockiness, or just confidence in his and his band’s ability, either way, Russell’s vision became a reality.
Tony Montana & Dan McNay (Photo-Travis Failey)
If you are reading this article and are familiar with Jack Russell and Great White, you probably already know most of the band’s back story: their multiple breakups, reunions, and of course, The Station Nightclub fire.
Jack Russell (Photo-Travis Failey)
But tonight wasn’t about Great White and their past, it was about the resiliency of a man who has fallen numerous times but continues to get up, no matter what the circumstances. From his addictions and his recovery, he’s 1 year sober after falling into an alcohol induced coma, to burying his close friend, Jani Lane, Jack Russell is once again, getting off the mat.
Ratt (Photo-Travis Failey)
On Friday night in Ybor City as Bobby Blotzer’s version of Ratt was finishing their extended set, Jack Russell walked with a considerable limp due to his back injuries. I expected these injuries to limit Russell’s movements on stage. But I was amazed as he spun around the stage during the opening moments of “On Your Knees,” which led into the first surprise song of the evening, “All Over Now,” off their breakout release, Once Bitten.
Jack Russell (Photo-Travis Failey)
The crowd joined in early and often, as they had during Ratt’s set and Kip Winger’s solo set of plugged in acoustic material. Kip brought a fan on stage ( Krystyna Burczyk) to perform “Miles Away.” It was a special moment for Krystyna and she beamed from ear to ear while on stage and after. It takes guts and talent to get up there in front of a huge crowd like that, but she nailed it.
Krystyna & Kip Winger (Photo-Travis Failey)
Jack took a minute between songs to introduce the band, including a familiar face playing guitar, Tony Montana. The Great White veteran looked at home as he handled Michael Lardie’s keyboard duties.
Tony Montana (Photo-Travis Failey)
The next song of the night was “Desert Moon” from the 1991 release Hooked. It was a perfect selection as a full moon shone over the courtyard outside the historic Cuban Club. The Cuban Club is on the National Register of Historic Places and was built in 1917. It was used as a gathering place for the Cuban community who were essential in building Ybor City and Tampa Bay.
Jack Russell & Robby Lochner (Photo-Travis Failey)
But tonight The Cuban Club was turned into a large green room for the bands to hang out in. Little did they know that the Cuban Club is allegedly haunted and is ranked in the Top 10 of the Most Haunted Places by the Travel Channel.
Jack Russell & Robby Lochner (Photo-Travis Failey)
As the band continued with “Mistabone,” one of my pre-show questions were answered: Would Jack and the band have the onstage chemistry of the previous version of Great White? The answer was a resounding….Yes. While watching guitarist Robby Lochner interact with Jack Russell, Robby seemed to bring out the fountain of youth in him. Russell’s energy on stage and his excitement regarding the February release was palpable.
Robby Lochner (Photo-Travis Failey)
Lochner was also amazing on lead guitar: not only from a technical standpoint, but also from an entertainment perspective. Lochner and the rest of the band were perfect compliments to Russell, and after seeing Mark Kendall’s version of Great White, Kendall’s version needs Jack Russell a hell of a lot more than Russell’s needs them.
Jack Russell (Photo-Travis Failey)
Russell crushed the high notes during tracks like “House of Broken Love,”“Rock Me,” and especially on Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.” No one except maybe Ann Wilson of Heart, does Zeppelin better than Russell, and his version of “Going To California” was unforgettable.
Jack Russell & Robby Lochner (Photo-Travis Failey)
It was obvious that sobriety and Russell’s renewed positive outlook on life has helped him continue to tour and to showcase his legendary vocal abilities.
Robby Lochner (Photo-Travis Failey)
Prior to the beginning of the anthem “Rock Me,” Russell mentioned that they would be going out next year on a full tour, not only to promote their new album but also to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of the release of Once Bitten.
Jack Russell’s Great White (Photo-Travis Failey)
As the last chorus of “Once Bitten Twice Shy” rang out, and as the crowd dissipated into the Ybor City streets, Jack Russell and his bandmates left the stage and made their way back up to the green room. With smiles on their faces, one thing was evident, Jack Russell is back and he’s a living example of “It’s not how many times you get knocked down that count, it’s how many times you get back up.”
For upcoming tour dates:http://jackrussellsgreatwhite.com/
Jack Russell & Robby Lochner (Photo-Travis Failey)
Whitesnake came to Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater on a beautiful Thursday night in support of its recent release, Purple. You may ask yourself, why would a band name an album Purple? Well the answer for that would be fairly simple as Purple contains songs from the time that Whitesnake’s lead singer, David Coverdale, spent with the legendary band, Deep Purple.
John Corabi ( Photo – Travis Failey )
It was a night of multiple super groups as Whitesnake’s current lineup showcased former Winger guitarist, Reb Beach, and drummer, Tommy Aldridge, and tonight’s opening band, The Dead Daisies, also brought with them a few familiar names. These included former Guns and Roses keyboard player, Dizzy Reed, and Marco Mendoza from Thin Lizzy, and most notably, vocalist, John Corabi, who recorded and toured with Motley Crue.
Dead Daisies ( Photo – Travis Failey )
The Dead Daisies got the night started promptly at 8 pm in the theater-like setting inside Ruth Eckerd Hall. They run a very tight ship at Ruth Eckerd and the staff are always pleasant and go out of their way to assist you. Another great thing about the venue is the sound. You know walking in that no matter who is performing, that audibly it will be top notch and when you have two bands with veteran musicians, you just know that you will be in for a great night of music.
Richard Fortus ( Photo – Travis Failey )
The Dead Daisies, out in support of their sophomore effort, “Revolución,” opened with the album’s first single, “Mexico.” Even though a majority of the fans in the crowd were unfamiliar with the song, it didn’t take long for Corabi and his band mates to win them over. John Corabi is a showman and he brings with him a voice full of heart, harmony, power and soul and he incorporated the dancing women in the front row throughout their set. The Dead Daisies set included some rare cover tunes from the early seventies in Howlin’ Wolf’s “Evil is Goin’ On” and “Hush” from Joe South, but made famous by Deep Purple.
The Dead Daisies received the biggest response from the crowd when they performed “Helter Skelter” more in the vein of the Beatles then in the remake by Motley Crue, as their set finale. After they left the stage, The Dead Daisies continued interacting with the crowd by doing an immediate meet and greet at their merchandise tent with the fans right after the show. Meet and greets are rare with a bunch of veteran musicians, but it’s almost a must-do these days due to the state of the industry. It seemed life half of the packed house waited in the meet and greet line that moved quickly and the band took pictures with the fans and sold a good amount of merchandise.
John Corabi ( Photo – Travis Failey )
David Coverdale ( Photo – Travis Failey )
The set change time between bands went quickly due to the meet and greet. Prior to Whitesnake coming on, I didn’t know what to expect, especially from David Coverdale. I’ve seen most bands from their era but tonight would be my first seeing any version of Whitesnake. As the band took the stage Whitesnake opened with the Deep Purple classic “Burn.” The 7 minute opus was a perfect beginning for Whitesnake’s set: the fans were familiar with it and primed them for a ride in a musical time machine. My first two impressions during “Burn” was that Coverdale looked great. The 63 year-old vocalist looked like he hadn’t aged in years. And vocally, he was impressive and surprising. To keep the pace and the fans intensity elevated, Whitesnake played two of their radio hits in “Slide It In” and “Fool For Your Loving.” Between the songs, Coverdale expressed how voluptuous some of the women were in the crowd and this was a topic that came up a few times by him throughout the night. He had good reason though as the crowd was rambunctious, the women were dressed to impressed and both the men and the women were partying like rock stars.
Joel Hoekstra ( Photo – Travis Failey )
Whitesnake’s next tracks would include songs from Deep Purple and Whitesnake. They mixed them together well. A lot of people in the crowd didn’t respond to the Deep Purple song “The Gypsy” but Whitesnake reeled them back in by playing “Give Me all You Love.” Three of the next four songs would be from the Purple album, combined with multiple solos. Drummer Tommy Aldridge slammed the skins, not only with his sticks, but with his hands like bongos, and the cymbals with fists like hammers. This made the drum solo memorable as was the harmonica/bass solo from Michael Devin.
There were also two distinctly different guitar solos by Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra. Beach is a Berkeley grad and a former member of Dokken, Alice Cooper and Winger and he played a solo that would make Richie Blackmore proud. Joel Hoekstra is the whole package: flair, style and substance. He played up to the crowd, and the women were pushing each other to get closer to him as Hoekstra played on one knee at the edge of the stage. I’m not sure why the band played so many solos. Four solos seemed to be a bit excessive, when most fans (in my experience) prefer songs over solos.
After Aldridge finished his drum solo, The Deep Purple portion of the set came to an end. The four person harmonies, especially during the “Purple” songs, were amazing. Coverdale was channeling his soulful style throughout, and like John Corabi earlier, he turned to the front row and led a massive sing-along during the Whitesnake hits, “Is This Love,” “Bad Boys” and “Here I Go Again.” In case you were wondering, yes, Coverdale hit The high note during the song. Whitesnake left the stage, but returned after a short break, to play their biggest hit, “Still of The Night,” for the encore.
I can’t say enough about Whitesnake’s and The Dead Daisies’ vocalists. Corabi and Coverdale put on one hell of a show, not only incorporating the crowd, but their vocals were outstanding. Yes, they are veterans and should be outstanding, but as many of us know all too well, a lot of the 80’s front men today just go through the motions and cash the check. But I believe that these two artists do it not only for the funds, but mainly for the fans. Corabi and Coverdale posed throughout the show so that fans could take their pictures with their cell phones and it never effected their performance. They also knew when to let their accomplished band mates take center stage.
David Coverdale ( Photo – Travis Failey )
The Purple Tour featuring Whitesnake and The Dead Daisies at Ruth Eckerd Hall was a journey back to a time in the 70’s where the music mattered, and into the 80’s of hair and flair. It was a night of quality music, fun songs, smiles and even a few pairs of spandex.
